North Carolina Families United Youth Leadership Series:

North Carolina Families United hosts a Leadership series geared to youth/young adults ages 15-21 who have struggled with mental health, and substance issues including trauma-based experiences. The leadership series unites the voices of traditional and non-traditional leaders with lived experiences in various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, education, and child welfare.

There is no experience or qualifications needed; only that you are interested in becoming a leader, are dependable, and are willing to attend required meetings. Some topics and activities include: A Ropes Challenge, Public Speaking, Conflict Resolution, Advocacy for Self and Others, Positive Relationships, Cultural Diversity, How to Use Resources and Job Skills. Participants also receive training on How to Choose a Provider and W.R.A.P. (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), which teaches participants recovery and self-management skills, as well as strategies for dealing with mental health within the context of work, school, and their everyday lives.
In 2003, The University of North Carolina in Charlotte, Institute on Self Advocacy recognized the Mental Health Youth Leadership Series as a 2003 National Exemplar model for supporting young adults to effect change in systems.

Youth M.O.V.E. North Carolina

Youth/young adults who successfully complete the Young Adult Leadership Series are encouraged to join Youth M.O.V.E (Motivating Others through Voices of Experience), our statewide youth-led leadership group. In July 2010, North Carolina Families United, Inc, NFFCMH was officially sanctioned as the statewide chapter of Youth M.O.V.E

Youth M.O.V.E is a nationally recognized, youth-driven organization devoted to improving services and systems that support positive growth and development. The organization unites the voices of individuals who have had experiences in various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, education, and child welfare.

As the Statewide Chapter of Youth M.O.V.E, North Carolina Families United will promote the involvement of young adults throughout the state by

Assisting young adults and agency partners with brining youth leadership development to their area